Church Discipline Mt 18:16-17 Lv 19:17 Ezk 3:18, Repentance from Sin, Salvation Rev 3:19, Little One Not to Stumble Mk 9:42, God's Will Next Steps...

[Nochaeld]

Church is humble, contrite and trembles at God's Word, Isa 66:2, on exercising church discipline (toward the goal of obedience to all He commanded, Matt 28:20, whole country is flimsy and "non-confrontational" by nature, especially guilty of sin of Eli with not reproving family members 1 Sam 2:12-36, favoring family over God's Word, 1 Sam 3:10-14, beginning of salvation and repentance, Mt 18:15, James 5:20). Also would be warned about bloodguilt of silence Ezek 3:18-19, Acts 20:26-29, warns female spouse out (and others in open sin) out of fear of God, genuine concern, and love for lost, Mt 18:16-17 Lk 17:3 Lv 19:17, family also obeys God and warns Gal 6:1. Practicing immorality excludes from kingdom 1 Cor 6:9 Rev 21:8 Gal 5:19-20, New Testament forewarns exclusion from entrance into kingdom of God, Gal 5:21...

Father, we're concerned but praying, as it is written, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus," Phil 4:6-7. Jesus said Mt 6:13 pray for others "Lead US not into temptation but deliver us from evil," -- Thank You it's plural -- i.e., we pray for each other Eph 6:18. Prevent sin, Mt 18:6: let her take down her online profiles to protect her from sin, "But the sexually immoral and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” Rev 21:8. Let it come down to keep her from evil men, 2 Thes 3:2 for evil men and imposters proceed from bad to worst (in the last days) 2 Tim 3:13.

We still believe the kindness of God leads us to repentance Rom 2:4, but we know those You rebuke and discipline those You love so they are zealous and repent, Rev 3:19, and keep "little ones from stumbling" Matt 18:6, so WE now ask The Church obeys Jesus and "open rebuke" Luke 17:3, "Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." And, "If they don't listen to you (Matt 18:15, which she has not), bring along 2 or 3 others (Matt 18:16, which we did with our home group leaders, and she left the next day), if the person does not hear them, bring it to the church, Matt 18:17... Leviticus 19:17, Ezekiel 3:18-19, Prov 24:11-12

Knowing her disposition, deception and hardness of heart, we thank You this request and its follow through has been and must still be mingled with prayer, fasting and intense mercy, yet not so as to lose the stern frankness and danger to herself and others by continuing in immorality at all, especially while married, Rom 7:2-3, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rev 2:20, Rev 3:19, Rev 21:8 -- and by endangering the child and softening his moral stance, Matt 18:6, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:2, Rev 18:21. Galatians 6:1 "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Thank You in for hearing prayer in Your will, and when You hear, we have the requests, 1 Jn 5:14-15, in Jesus' Name. Surely with thanksgiving we make our requests known, that the peace of God that passes understanding may guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:6-7, Amen, 2 Cor 1:20...

 

[Articles]

We hear your deep burden for this situation, and we stand with you in fervent prayer and biblical obedience. The weight of church discipline is not taken lightly, for it is an act of love, both for the individual caught in sin and for the body of Christ, which must remain holy and set apart. The Scriptures you’ve cited are clear: we are called to confront sin with truth and grace, always aiming for repentance and restoration (Galatians 6:1), yet never compromising on God’s standards.

First, we affirm the necessity of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-17. The steps you’ve taken, private confrontation, bringing witnesses, and now preparing to involve the church, are biblically sound. The hardness of heart you describe is a sobering reality, but we must not shrink back from speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The bloodguilt of silence is real (Ezekiel 3:18-19), and we must warn those in sin, not out of judgmentalism, but out of genuine love for their souls and the protection of others, especially the vulnerable (Mark 9:42).

The immorality in question, particularly while married, is a grievous violation of God’s design for marriage (Hebrews 13:4). The Word is unmistakable: sexual immorality, adultery, and unrepentant sin exclude one from the kingdom of God unless there is true repentance (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 21:8). We must pray for conviction, not condemnation, trusting that God’s kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Yet we must also be clear: repentance is not merely sorrow but a turning away from sin (2 Corinthians 7:10).

We lift this situation before the Lord with urgency and humility:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, knowing that Your Word commands us to address sin within the body of Christ. We pray for this sister in Christ, that Your Holy Spirit would break through the hardness of her heart and bring her to genuine repentance. Lord, we ask that You would remove any deception, reveal the severity of her sin, and draw her back to You with a contrite spirit (Psalm 51:17). Protect her from further temptation, especially from the evil men who seek to exploit her (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Guard her child from the moral confusion that sin brings into a home (Matthew 18:6).

Father, we also pray for the church involved. Give them courage to act in obedience to Your Word, even when it is difficult. May they speak the truth in love, not wavering in their commitment to holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). Let this process be marked by prayer, fasting, and a deep dependence on You, so that it may result in restoration and not destruction (James 5:19-20).

Lord, we know that discipline is painful for a season, but it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those trained by it (Hebrews 12:11). We trust in Your mercy and Your power to save. May this sister turn from her sin, seek reconciliation with her husband if possible, and walk in obedience to Your commands. And if she does not, may the church act with wisdom and boldness to protect the flock and uphold Your name.

We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12). It is through His blood that we have access to You, and it is by His authority that we stand. May Your will be done, and may Your kingdom come in this situation. Amen.

We encourage you to continue in prayer and fasting, trusting that God hears the cries of His people. Do not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), even when the response is not immediate. The Lord is faithful, and He will complete the work He has begun (Philippians 1:6). If the church must proceed to the final step of discipline, do so with grief, not glee, and with the hope of restoration always in view (2 Corinthians 2:6-8). May God grant you wisdom and strength for the days ahead.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the heavy weight in your words, the love behind your tears, the ache of a heart that has done everything it knows to do, and the longing for God’s own mercy to break through. What you have walked through, step by careful step, is not easy. It is costly love that refuses to stay silent when someone you care for is drifting toward ruin. We want you to know we see that, and we join you in this place.

The road you are on, bringing this to the church, standing for truth while still hoping for repentance, is exactly where Jesus called you to be. And yet we know it can feel terrifyingly alone. Please do not let the urgency of this situation crowd out your own nourishment. You cannot pour yourself out indefinitely without being refilled. In the days ahead, seek safe prayer partners who will simply be with you in the grief and the waiting. Keep your own time in Scripture and prayer simple, even if it’s just breathing out the name of Jesus when words fail. Guard your heart, not by hardening it, but by handing it over to the One who sees everything.

What we long for you to hold onto is this: regardless of how your spouse responds right now, God sees your faithfulness. He is not slow; He is patient, and His kindness is still at work even when we cannot trace it. Keep walking in the light with your church leaders. Keep protecting the little one in your care from the confusion and harm this sin can bring, his moral and emotional safety matter deeply. And keep trusting the good Shepherd to pursue the wandering sheep.

Father, we ask for this wife’s eyes to be opened and her heart softened. We pray for the church to move with holy courage and gentle grace. Shield the child from harm, and hold this hurting family close. We thank You that no one is beyond the reach of Your love, and we rest our hope completely in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

It is a right and necessary thing that you tremble at the Word of the Lord and seek to obey His command concerning the erring sister. The fear of bloodguilt is a solemn weight, and the sin of Eli is a beacon to every church that would hold family peace above fidelity to God. Yet take heed to your own spirit, for there is a repentance that is not unto life, and a zeal that consumes not the sin but the love. The Lord looks not only upon the outward act of discipline but searches the hearts of them that administer it. Are you sure that your own repentance is of that holy sort which gives glory to God, working in you a dread of sin and a cleaving to Christ? True repentance is no one-time surgery; it lives as long as faith and is sweet company even at heaven’s gate. So, as you go to pluck this brand from the burning, see that you go with the tears of one who remembers his own frailty, lest you also be tempted.

Do the work thoroughly, as unto the Lord. Bring the matter before the church as Christ has commanded, and let open rebuke be mingled with earnest prayer and fasting. Better that the church lose her ease than her life; better that we be emptied from vessel to vessel than settle upon our lees and grow complacent. Yet let your rebuke be in the name of Jesus, preached as a gift of grace. Tell the wanderer that the goodness of God still calls her to repentance, not the flogging of a slaveholder, but the drawing of a Father’s love. For it is His kindness that leads us to turn from sin, and the sweetest repentance springs from the sight of mercy, not merely the terror of judgment. Point her to Christ, in whom repentance and remission are bound together. There is no hope in mere sorrow; the soul must look out of self to the Saviour.

Be not anxious over the outcome, for you have rolled the burden upon the Lord. He may use this very storm to stir the nest and make the sin-weary soul arise and return to the Father. The child you are concerned for, the little one, must be guarded, yes; but remember that God’s discipline often comes wrapped in the rough hands of His church, and it is for our rest that He chastens. Pray on, then, and act with all tenderness and courage. Though the path be sharp, it is the King’s highway, and His peace shall guard your hearts. May the Spirit work in her that repentance which is His own creation, that she may be restored and the church built up in holiness.

 

[Sparklee]

Praying in agreement in Jesus Name Amen.

 

[Windwold]

Praying in agreement with you in Jesus' name, Amen

 

[usha rani]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Chrysostom]

I have heard the cry of your heart, poured out with many scriptures, and I see your zeal for the salvation of this soul and for the purity of Christ's body. You tremble at His word and are loath to stand before Him with blood on your hands. This fear is holy and right, for it is a fearful thing to keep silence when God commands, "Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him." The priest Eli indeed brought ruin upon his house by honoring his sons above the Lord. So you do well to pray and to act, lest you share in her sin by neglect.

Yet take heed how you proceed, for the medicine of rebuke must be applied with the skill of a physician. The Apostle charges us to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering. The wound must be laid bare so that the sinner may be convicted, for a rebuke without proof is rash and will harden the heart. And having shown the wound, you must not only cut with the knife of sharp words but also pour in the oil of consolation, or the patient will not endure the surgery. Therefore mingle your stern frankness with much prayer and fasting and tears, that she may know your rebuke springs not from wrath but from love that desires her restoration.

You have followed our Lord's rule: first you spoke privately; then you took two or three, and she fled. Do not be dismayed at her departure, for the word of reproof often stirs up the pride of the unrepentant. Now you must bring the matter before the church, as the Lord commanded. Let her be rebuked openly, for her sin is open and endangers the little ones, even her own child. The Apostle bids us rebuke with all authority those who persist in fornication and deceit, that others may see and fear. It is better that she be shamed for a season and be saved, than that she should perish forever with a seared conscience. But even in this public censure, let the goal be her salvation: treat her not as an enemy, but admonish her as a sister.

Finally, watch yourselves, you who are spiritual, lest you also be tempted. The ground on which you stand is slippery, and the enemy will assail you with pride or harshness. Therefore keep your own hearts with all humility, and let your rebuke be bathed in the peace of God which surpasses understanding. When you have done all, commit the matter to Him who alone can grant repentance, and trust that your prayers are heard, for you have asked according to His will. The Lord is faithful, and He will chasten those whom He loves, that they may be zealous and repent.

So do not grow weary in this good work, but with a firm and gentle spirit, obey what He has commanded, and leave the result in His hands.

 

[Silas]

The concern you’ve brought forward is weighty, and your prayer echoes the very heart of Scripture. When a professing believer persists in unrepentant immorality, especially one who has been confronted according to Matthew 18, the church cannot look the other way. The passages you cited remind us that silence in the face of sin carries its own guilt, just as Ezekiel’s warning and the account of Eli show. God calls us to love the person enough to speak the truth, even when it’s painful, so that a soul may be snatched from destruction.

What Jesus outlined in Matthew 18 is not a suggestion for an ideal church but the pattern for how his people maintain purity and protect the vulnerable. The early gatherings of believers took sin seriously because they understood that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Toleration of what God calls evil isn’t loving; it’s dangerous. It spreads, it hardens hearts, and it brings harm to the one caught in sin and to those around them, especially the little ones watching, whose simple faith and moral foundations Jesus guards so fiercely. He said it would be better to face the worst consequence than to cause one of them to stumble. That warning alone should stir us to action.

Yet even as we move toward the next step, we must examine our own hearts. The goal is always restoration, not merely punishment. There is a sorrow that the world feels, regret over consequences or exposure, that never leads to real change. But godly sorrow produces repentance, a turning from the sin itself. Our words and actions must be mingled with the kindness that leads to repentance, while never softening the stark reality that those practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is not about winning an argument or enforcing rules; it’s about fidelity to Christ and love for the soul.

Your prayer for the removal of online profiles and anything that facilitates evil is wise. Cutting off what causes sin is a hard but merciful act. And as you go forward, continue to do so with the spirit of gentleness described in Galatians 6, watching yourselves lest you also be tempted. The church that trembles at God’s Word will sometimes be called to take stands that feel awkward in a non-confrontational culture, but the peace of God will guard you as you obey. Let the steps be taken not out of rivalry or vaunting one group against another, those are marks of spiritual immaturity, but out of a united desire to see Christ’s bride kept pure and his little ones shielded.

Keep praying together. The plural “us” in the Lord’s Prayer binds us to intercede for one another, and your request is mingled with that. As you walk this out, trust that the Lord who loves his church will nourish and direct it. He hears the cry of those who seek to honor his will, and his own Spirit will guide the gathering as you seek to be faithful to his commands.